USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Spencer > History of Spencer, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to the year 1860: including a brief sketch of Leicester, to the year 1753 > Part 8
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In 1777, at the time of her marriage, she removed from Newton, her native town, to Spencer, and has since, during the period of 77 years, resided in the same house, and occu- pied the same room. She has survived her husband 28 years, who had himself reached the age of nearly four score, having been the able and faithful Pastor of the Congrega- tional church in Spencer. Of those who were born in the town, previous to her removal hither, only ten remain. It is believed that no other clergyman's wife or widow is now living in New England, at such an advanced age. 9*
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And may we all, when o'er this spot An hundred years have rolled, Be gathered, not one name forgot, Safe in the Heavenly fold.
After the pulpit became vacant by the sickness of Mr. Pope, Mr. Stephen Crosby was employed as a candidate. He had preached here only ten sabbaths, when the society by a unanimous vote, March 15, 1819, invited him to become their minister. They offered him for salary $650 per annum, " as long as he should remain in that office, and should regularly supply the pulpit in this place." The prop- osition and the condition were couched in explicit terms, and required an explicit answer. The answer was given April 10, 1819, wherein he says, " your unanimous call is prayerfully received and cheerfully accepted. Understand- ing the clause 'shall regularly supply the pulpit in this place,' not as referring to occasional absence and temporary sickness, but as importing merely that my salary shall cease whenever my ministerial connection with you shall be dissolved in the manner specified by the town, that is by a mutual council." The answer was received on the third day of May, when the people were assembled in legal meeting for that purpose. There was not a little disagreement man- ifested in the minds of the people as, to its true purport. It is obvious the town # intended his salary should continue no longer than he regularly supplied the pulpit. But ac- cording to his understanding, it was to continue until he should be dismissed by a mutual council, whether the pulpit was supplied or not, whether by permanent inability or any other cause. After considerable discussion and deliberation,
At this time, all parish business was transacted in the name of the town, as was formerly done in all the towns in the state since its first set- tlement, and the words " town " and " society," are here indiscriminately used.
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it was voted " not to accept of the answer ; " and the meeting was adjourned to the sixth of the same month, and a com- mittee was chosen to confer with Mr. Crosby and report at the adjournment. But Mr. Crosby declined and utterly re- fused to make any further explanation or communication through this committee to the town. The meeting was again adjourned to the 20th of the same month, and the same committee were directed to have further conference with Mr. Crosby upon the subject. But this intended con- ference, however, resulted like the former, Mr. Crosby still remaining obstinately mute, refusing to make any answer to the questions put to him relative to the matter. At the last adjourned meeting, after much debate the friends of Mr. Crosby prevailed, and a majority were infatuated enough to accept of his answer with all its ambiguity, and he was ordained June, 1819.
By some unaccountable fatuity, a majority of the society were deceived as to the true import of the answer. However, nothing material occurred to disturb the harmony between the parties for four years, but a portion of the people were still dissatisfied, not only with the terms of the answer, but also with the disrespect to the society shown by him, throughout the whole negociation relative to the matter. The matter having been held in abeyance for this length of time, began again to be mooted by the people, and at last the society felt called upon to act again in the matter.
Accordingly, a committee was chosen in March, 1823, again to confer with Mr. Crosby relative to the matter. Al- though he again refused to make any written communica- tion to the town, he disclosed to the committee his own views relative to the nature of the contract, which fully con- firmed the suspicions as to its true import, when immediately, by the direction of the society, the following communication was transmitted to him.
" Dear sir, You will recollect that when the society gave
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you an invitation to settle with them in the ministry, one condition upon which said invitation was given was, that your salary should annually continue, so long as you should regularly supply the pulpit in this place, and their intention was, that whenever your regular ministrations should cease, your salary should cease also. But your answer contains some ambiguity of phraseology, which at that time was not understood by a majority of the society, but is now under- stood by them to imply that your salary should continue to any indefinite period whatever, without any regard to the regular performance of your ministerial labors with the society, unless an ecclesiastical council should see fit to dis- solve the connection thus subsisting between you and the society. And this, sir, the society has been informed is your construction of the contract. Now, sir, the society cannot but view this contract, as it is thus understood, as entirely destitute of that reciprocity which is the only firm basis of all equitable contracts, and which is so essential to promote the harmony and the good understanding, as well as the interests of the contracting parties. Viewing it in this light, sir, and prompted by the dictates of prudence to ourselves and jus- tice to our posterity, and being desirous of averting the dis- astrous consequences which would inevitably ensue, should such a contingency happen as has been alluded to in this communication, the society has thought fit to enter anew into a negociation with you, and to solicit your compliance, that the aforesaid contract may be so altered or amended as to conform to the wishes of the society, and to the spirit and intention of the instrument, wherein they gave you an invi- tation to become their minister. Accordingly, at a legal meeting of the society convened for that purpose, they have voted, that you be requested to consent to a modification of the aforesaid contract, so that it may conform to the views and wishes of the society as herein expressed, and that you be also respectfully requested to signify your assent to, or
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dissent from, this proposition, in writing, to the committee who may present this to you, if convenient, on or before the first Monday in May next, when the society will again be convened for the further consultation and determination of this subject. April 7, 1823."
The answer was received May 5, and although of great length, it was in its character altogether non committal. He neither admitted nor denied that the construction now put upon the contract was or was not the true one; he neither consented nor declined to alter or amend, or make a new contract. In fine, he entirely avoided coming to the point at issue between them ; professed to be somewhat indignant at the "charge," as he was pleased to term it, of ambiguity, and finally stated that if the town would call another meet- ing, he would present a proposition upon the subject.
Accordingly, another meeting was held on the 26th of the same month, agreeable to his request. At this meeting he read a paper, but stated that he did not mean to have it considered a formal communication. Consequently, no ac- tion was had on it, and the paper was withdrawn, the meet- ing' was adjourned to the 16th of June, and a committee ap- pointed to confer with him further upon the subject. At the adjournment, the committee reported that they had " held a conference with him, but notwithstanding, had no new communications to make to the town."
March 15, 1824, another committee was chosen, " to re- quest the Rev. Mr. Crosby to alter the contract between him and his people, or join with them in calling a council to dissolve the connection." The meeting was adjourned to the 5th of April. At this meeting Mr. Crosby wished the town to vote on the following proposition : " Those who de- sire my continuance with them, on fair and equitable terms, would signify it." . The votes were 44 in favor, and 3 against it. He then read his communication, but it was not satisfactory to the town, and it was withdrawn. It was then
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voted, that the town request Mr. Crosby to unite with them, in calling an ecclesiastical council, for the purpose of dissolv- ing the contract. A committee was chosen to present the vote to him, and the meeting was further adjourned to the 19th. At this meeting, a vote was taken on the following proposition. All who wish the Rev. Mr. Crosby to continue with us, under existing circumstances, will please to signify the same by voting." Voted in favor one-against it, forty- five. The meeting was further adjourned to the third day of May. At this meeting, Mr. Crosby made another dis- satisfactory communication, and the town then chose a large committee, and delegated to them full power to act for them in any circumstances which might arise, and they were ex- pressly charged to call an exparte council, if necessary, and then dissolved the meeting.
The committee had not proceeded far in the execution of their commission, when the town was again called together, August 30, 1824, to consider a new proposition from him. One condition in this was, that whenever two thirds of the society should desire his dismission, and should give him six months notice in writing, and the reasons for such desire, and the same privileges on his part, should he desire a dis- mission, in either case, at the expiration of the term, a dis- solution of the contract was to take place, and a mutual council was to be called for that purpose. The society ac- cepted this proposition, by a vote of 30 in favor, and 19 against.
Although nothing new had taken place between the par- ties, yet the people had become so much disaffected towards him, that within two months, viz. : November first, another meeting was called, to see if two thirds of the society would agree to give him six months notice for a dismissal. The vote was, for his dismissal 56, against it 26, being more than two thirds in favor of dismissing him.
Many attempts and fruitless negotiations were made be-
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tween the parties, to effect an immediate dissolution of the contract, without the formality of waiting six months, but it only served to increase the mutual irritation. A mutual council was at length convened, consisting of all the neigh- boring ministers, with each a delegate, and, though Mr. Crosby earnestly contended and protested before the council, against their dissolving the contract, yet they were unani- mously in favor of effecting it, and he was dismissed, May 31, 1825.
The Rev. Stephen Crosby was the son of a respectable farmer, of Thompson, Conn. He commenced his education at Brown University, but was finally graduated at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y. in 1816 or 1817. He comple- ted his theological studies with Doct. Nott, President of the last-named college .. After being settled in Spencer, he was married to Miss Julia Cowles, daughter of a wealthy mer- chant in Farmington, Conn., by whom he had one daughter, named Mary Cowles, born May 30, 1823. After his dismis- sion, he was installed at East Granby, Conn. He was dis- missed from that place, and was settled in the western part of New York. He left there, and was finally settled in or near Norwich, Conn., where he died in 1839.
After the dismission of Mr. Crosby, the society was sup- plied by occasional clergymen, during the remainder of the year, when application was made to Mr. Levi Packard, to preach a few weeks as a candidate. He continued to sup- ply the pulpit until the third day of April, 1826, when the church and society gave him a call by a unanimous vote, to be their minister, offering him a salary of $550, per annum, on condition, that the contract should be dissolved after six months notice, by either party. Mr. Packard accepted the proposition, with the qualification, that the society should pay him $475, as salary, and should also furnish him with a respectable dwelling house, for him and his family, during his continuance with the society as their minister. This
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was complied with, and he was ordained, June 14, 1826. The following clergymen assisted at his ordination. Mr. Huntington of North Bridgewater, Mr. Ide of Medway, Mr. Sweet of Palmer, Mr. Nelson of Leicester, Mr. Clark of Rut- land, Mr. Conant of Boston, Mr. Snell of North Brookfield, Mr. Tomlinson of Oakham, Mr. Park of Southbridge, Mr. Newhall of Oxford, Mr. Pond of Ward, and Mr. Bond of Stockbridge. Agreeable to the contract, the society furnished him with a commodious dwelling house, with suitable outbuildings, and one acre of land. After a few years, he was enabled to purchase the estate of the society, where he continued to reside during his continuance in Spencer.
Rev. Levi Packard was son of Mr. Levi Packard of North Bridgewater, and was born in that town February 4, 1793. He was graduated at Brown University in 1821. He com- pleted his theological education with the Rev. Jacob Ide of Medway, and was married to Miss Clarissa Sandford, daugh- ter of Mr. Philo Sandford of Medway, August 16, 1826.
Rev. Mr. Packard was a gentleman of a generous and be- nevolent disposition, honorable and conscientious in all his transactions and intercourse with society, of unblemished moral character, and in his course of life strictly exemplified his religious principles and profession. He lived in peace and harmony with his parishioners for twenty-seven years. But being somewhat ultra against certain amusements, which some of his people indulged themselves with occasionally, which they considered innocent, and sometimes preaching with severity against those indulgences, which he character- ized as sin, he gave offence to some of his people, and under- standing they were about making some demonstration of their feelings, he gave the required notice for taking his dis- mission, which took place September 23, 1853. After his dismission, he was installed over a society in Woonsocket, R. I., but was soon obliged, through increasing ill health, to
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resign his charge. He retired to Stafford Springs, Conn., where, after lingering for sometime, he died of consumption, January 11, 1857. His remains were brought to Spencer, and interred in the old cemetery, where Mr. Caleb M. Morse has generously placed a handsome marble monument over his grave, with appropriate inscription upon it.
The next minister was the Rev. Stephen G. Dodd. He was born in the town of Bloomfield, New Jersey, in the im- mediate vicinity of the city of Newark, March 24, 1826, and was graduated at the college of New Jersey, Princeton, in that State, 1846. After completing his theological educa- tion, he was settled over one of the Presbyterian societies in the large village of Milford, Connecticut, 1852. Having continued in that place about two years, he asked and ob- tained a dismission, and was soon after invited by this socie- ty to preach for them as a candidate. After preaching a suitable time and giving satisfaction to the people, they gave him a call to settle with them, which was accepted, and he was installed August 23, 1854. His salary; including a house, furnished for him by the society, is $825 per annum, paid quarterly. He was married to Miss Eliza S. Shaw, of Marietta, Ohio. Their only child, a son, named Amzi, was born August 10, 1855. On the last day of March, 1860, Mr. Dodd gave the society notice, according to the articles of his settlement, that he should take a dismission from them within six months. Accordingly, on the first day of Octo- ber of the same year, he peaceably relinquished the charge which he had held for more than six years, without the form- ality of a council, and retired from the place without any disaffection of either the minister or people, but with mutu- al good will and respect.
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SINGING.
Sacred music, as anciently performed, would hardly add much to the edification of modern christian assemblies. After the psalm was read by the minister, some one, who acted as chorister, and this was generally some person who had the loudest voice, gave out the tune to be sung. As but few had books who joined in singing, one of the deacons read the first line of the psalm, which was responded to by the singers, who were promiscuously seated over all parts of the house. The next line was then read and alike respond- ed to, until the whole psalm was sung. By this method those who were destitute of books were enabled to sing with those who were fortunate enough to have them, as they could repeat each line by memory after it had been pronounced by the deacon. After practising several years in this manner, the minister recommended, that instead of one line only, a whole verse should be read by the deacon. Complaints were immediately made, by those who had no books, against this proceeding, as an innovation from the ancient and sacred manner of performing that part of public worship, as it de- prived several from the ability to take a part in the perform- ance thereof. But the perseverance of the minister overcame all opposition or remonstrance, and this practice was contin- ued for many years. At length it was found expedient for the congregation to supply themselves with books, and to dis- pense altogether with the services of the deacon in reading or " deaconing " the psalm, and this practice universally pre- vails to the present time.
At this time there had never been a school in the town, for giving instruction in the science of music, and every one was at liberty to sing as the spirit moved, or as best he might, without much regard to tune or time, and deacon W., whose soul was completely insensible to the " concord of sweet sounds," would yet, with dismal tone, and in unison with no
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other voice, accompany the singing, if such it may be called, throughout, the effect of which must have been anything but harmony. It has been mentioned, that the singers originally sat promiscuously in all parts of the house. Many efforts were made to effect a reform in this matter, and have them sit together, as manifestly more convenient for them, and more edifying to the audience. But this, too, was considered an innovation not to be quietly acquiesced with. Even as late as 1782, an article was inserted in the warrant at the annual meeting, " to see if the town will grant seats in the gallery in the meeting house to the singers, that they may sit together." But it passed in the negative. But the town, having been favored with the instruction in music with a Mr. Spear, and afterwards with the celebrated Solomon Howe, a composer of music, who, substituting some of the sweet and pleasing tunes of Billings for the slow movements of Williams and Tansur, effected such a reform in church music that the singers were allowed to sit together, and the east half part of the front gallery was appropriated for that purpose."
Formerly, the chorister was chosen by the united votes of the church and congregation, and not as now, and ever ought to be, by the singers. Accordingly we find it recorded in the records of the church, " March 22, 1770, the church and congregation voted for a chorister. Doct. Ormes had 23 votes, Mr. Mason had 18 votes. March 2, 1775, the church chose John Muzzy, jun., for chorister. December 25, 1782, the church and congregation chose Lieut. Jonas Muzzy for chorister, and Mr. Oliver Watson, jun., as assistant."
The Book of Psalms had at an early period, been meta- morphosed by Sternhold and Hopkins, into what might with propriety be called doggerel poetry, for the use of religious
* One old gentleman felt himself so much outraged, with what he consid- ered such an improper manner of performing public worship, that he told the Rev. Mr. Pope that, if he gave his encouragement to such improprieties, he would serve them a trick that the devil wouldn't-he would leave them !
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assemblies. This production had experienced some changes and revisions by Doct. Cotton Mather and Doct. Thomas Prince, and others, until at last it had become stationary, and was called the " Old Version," and if one was compelled to read it at this time, he would consider it a more severe pun- ishment than that inflicted on Galileo, who was condemned to read the seven penitential psalms many times for the sin of heresy. This " Old Version " continued to be used throughout the greater part of Mr. Eaton's ministry. It had become stale and obsolete, and the ministers generally (whose poetic taste was much superior to the generality of their parishioners) were desirous of a change. But the old people cherished this version with great reverence ; it being often bound in the same volume with their bibles, it was considered as part of the same, and quite as sacred ; while the beautiful poetry in the versions of Brady and Tate and Doct. Watts, was considered but little short of profanity.
In June, 1761, the church met to take the matter into consideration, and after some debate it was voted, "that having made trial of Brady and Tate's version for sometime, they would try the old version four Sabbaths, and Dr. Watts until September, " that then the church and congrega- tion meet and choose which of the three versions they think best to use." After having made trial as aforesaid, the church and congregation met, and the vote was, for the old version, 33, for Doct. Watts, 14, for Brady and Tate, 6. So the old version preponderated, and Watts, with Brady and Tate, kicked the beam. After this, they voted to refer the matter to three ministers, viz., Mr. Ruggles of New Brain- tree, Mr. White of Hardwick, and Mr. Forbes of North Brookfield. These gentlemen advised them to make use of Brady and Tate on trial for six months, and then determine which should be used, by vote, concluding their advice by recommending them for " constant use, as we do apprehend it most for the glory of God, and the edification of the
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church." Here the matter rested, the old version was used eight years longer, and no action was taken upon the advice of these ministers until May, 1769, when it was voted to accept of their report and make trial of Brady and Tate. But the minority were so much dissatisfied that the old ver- sion was continued two weeks longer, when it was voted that the old version, with Dr. Watts, should be used unitedly, " till the church and congregation shall come to a better understanding as to what version may be sung." This method would place the two versions in contrast every Sun- day. This was continued until October 19, 1769, when the good sense of the people prevailed, and the church and con- gregation voted to make use of Doct. Watts' Psalms and Hymns. The votes were, for Doct. Watts, 26, and " about 6 votes for the old version."
BAPTISTS.
The first Baptist Church in Spencer was constituted June 30, 1819. Their meeting house was built the next year, 1820, and is situated at the northeast part of the town, near to the line of the town of Paxton. The society is not large and is composed of members from Spencer and the adjoining towns of Rutland and Paxton, and perhaps a few from Lei- cester and Oakham. Their first minister was the Rev. Amos Lefavor, who was ordained in the winter of 1821. How long he continued with them is uncertain. The next minister was Mr. George Phippen, who preached for them 1827 and 1828. Edward Kenney was employed in the ministry for them 1829 and 1830; Rev. Moses Harring- ton preached for the society 1834 and 1835; their next minister was Willard Glover, who continued only for the year 1837. Elder Luther Goddard of Worcester preached
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occasionally for 1838 and 1839. Mr. Urijah Underwood was their minister for 1840. The above account is meagre and imperfect, but as the records of the society are unfortunately lost, it is all that could be obtained.
Thus far was written in 1841. For a few years succeed- ing that date, the society seemed to be dwindled to a small remnant, and was not supplied except casually, with preach- ing. But lately it has seemed to have arisen from its low estate to a prosperous condition ; they have repaired their meeting house, their numbers have increased, have regular preaching, accompanied with improved church music, and appear to be in a state of prosperity.
UNIVERSALISTS.
The Universalist Society in Spencer was incorporated, April 22, 1830. At this time it consisted of ten members only, viz. : Phinehas Jones, Jacob Wilson, Rufus Sibley, Caleb Sibley, Jonas Sibley, Oliver C. Watson, Wilber How- land, Nathaniel Wilson, Alonzo Temple and Lemuel Smith. It was organized by the formation of a constitution and the choice of officers, on the day of incorporation, since which time, thirty-eight other members have joined, with their families. The meeting house was built in 1833, and dedi- cated November 20, of the same year. Dedicatory sermon by the Rev. L. S. Everett, then of Charlestown. The church was formed October 29, 1834, and the same day, Rev. Gil- man Noyes was installed ; sermon by Rev. Sylvanus Cobb of Malden. The first two years, the society was partially supplied by occasional preaching. William A. Stickney preached for them, 1832. Rev. Gilman Noyes was their . regular minister for six years, from 1833 to 1839. Mr. Noyes was a graduate of Dartmouth College, and studied theology with the Rev. Sylvanus Cobb. The Rev. John
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